Libya bans Gadhafi-era officials from state posts

Updated 10:37 pm, Sunday, May 5, 2013

FILE - In this Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013 file photo, Libyan interim president, Mohammed el-Megarif, flashes the victory sign to crowds during the celebration of the second anniversary of the Libyan revolution in Benghazi, Libya. Libya's parliament passed a law on Sunday, May 5, 2013, that bans officials who held senior positions under ousted dictator Moammar Gadhafi from holding high-level government posts, a move that could disqualify much of the country's political elite from office including head of Congress, Mohammed al-Megarif. (AP Photo/Mohammad Hannon, File)

FILE - In this Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013 file photo, Libyan interim...

FILE - In this March 13, 2013 file photo, Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zidan speaks during a joint news conference with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry at the State Department in Washington. Libya's parliament passed a law on Sunday, May 5, 2013, that bans officials who held senior positions under ousted dictator Moammar Gadhafi from holding high-level government posts, a move that could disqualify much of the country's political elite from office including Prime Minister Ali Zidan, who served as a diplomat under Gadhafi. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)

TRIPOLI, Libya — Under pressure from armed militias, Libya's parliament passed a sweeping law Sunday that bans anyone who served as a senior official under Moammar Gadhafi during his 42 year-long rule from working in government.

The Political Isolation Law could lead to the dismissal of many current leaders, some of whom had defected to the rebel side during the country's 2011 civil war or had been elected to office since Gadhafi's ouster and killing. The move is likely to further stall the country's already rocky transition to democracy by ousting elected lawmakers.

It injects a new dose of uncertainty into Libyan politics during a still-fragile transition. Liberals say it will give a boost to Islamists, who performed poorly in recent elections compared to their counterparts in other Arab states, although Islamists said they could also be affected by the ban.

The law was partially driven by the unpopularity of Libya's current crop of politicians among many of the still-powerful former rebels who toppled Gadhafi, and others who say little has improved since. Backers of the law say it is necessary to complete the revolution.